Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor is essential after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), while many studies have focused on determining the optimal degree of platelet inhibition and optimal DAPT duration to minimize complications after PCI. Current guidelines developed by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology summarize previous studies and provide recommendations. However, these guidelines are mainly based on Western patients, and their characteristics might differ from those of East Asian patients. Previous data suggested that East Asian patients have unique features with regard to the response to antiplatelet agents. On comparing Western and East Asian patients, it was found that East Asian patients have a lower rate of ischemic events and higher rate of bleeding events after PCI, despite a higher on-treatment platelet reactivity, which is referred to as the “East Asian paradox.” As the main purpose of DAPT is to minimize ischemic and bleeding complications after PCI, these differences should be clarified before adopting the guidelines for East Asian patients. Therefore, in this article, we will review various issues regarding DAPT in East Asian patients, with a focus on the unique characteristics of East Asian patients, previous studies regarding antiplatelet agents in East Asian patients, and a guideline from an East Asian perspective.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor is essential after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), while many studies have focused on determining the optimal degree of platelet inhibition and optimal DAPT duration to minimize complications after PCI. Current guidelines developed by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology summarize previous studies and provide recommendations. However, these guidelines are mainly based on Western patients, and their characteristics might differ from those of East Asian patients. Previous data suggested that East Asian patients have unique features with regard to the response to antiplatelet agents. On comparing Western and East Asian patients, it was found that East Asian patients have a lower rate of ischemic events and higher rate of bleeding events after PCI, despite a higher on-treatment platelet reactivity, which is referred to as the “East Asian paradox.” As the main purpose of DAPT is to minimize ischemic and bleeding complications after PCI, these differences should be clarified before adopting the guidelines for East Asian patients. Therefore, in this article, we will review various issues regarding DAPT in East Asian patients, with a focus on the unique characteristics of East Asian patients, previous studies regarding antiplatelet agents in East Asian patients, and a guideline from an East Asian perspective.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Aspirin ; Blood Platelets ; Cardiology ; Heart ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors

Objective: Recent studies have raised concerns about the cardiovascular safety of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the cardiovascular outcomes of sulfonylureas (SUs) versus DPP4 inhibitors in combination with metformin. Methods: After searching for trials using combination therapy of metformin with an SU or DPP4 inhibitor in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase, 1 prospective observational study and 15 randomized controlled studies were selected. Results: Regarding the primary analysis endpoint, no significant differences were found in the risk of all-cause mortality between SUs and DPP4 inhibitors as add-on therapies to metformin (random-effect relative risk [RR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98–1.33;I2 =0%; p=0.097). Cardiovascular death was also similar between SUs and DPP4 inhibitors in the 5 studies that reported outcomes (random-effect RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.83–1.27; I2 =0%; p=0.817). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in major adverse cardiac events, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. However, the SU group showed a higher risk of ischemic stroke, more hypoglycemic events, and more weight gain than the DPP4 inhibitor group (ischemic stroke, random-effect RR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.06–7.30; I2 =51.9%; p=0.039; hypoglycemia, random-effect RR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.53–9.39; I2 =98.2; p=0.004; weight gain, weighted mean difference, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.07–2.29; I2 =94.7; p<0.001). Conclusion As add-on therapies to metformin, SUs and DPP4 inhibitors showed no significant differences in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. However, some of the favorable results of DPP4 inhibitors suggest good safety and feasibility of the drugs.